4236 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

4236 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: How will the Minister ensure rural and senior communities receive on-the-ground mental health services?

Hon Matt Doocey: Rural and senior communities can access a range of mental health and addiction services. Through the Access and Choice programme, there are now over 600 primary mental health and addiction services available across the country. This is in addition to existing services that were available prior to 2019. These services are available to people of all ages, including people aged over 65 years, and services are available from the Far North to Bluff. I am further advised that Health New Zealand launched a rural wellbeing support landing page in mid-2023 as part of the Access and Choice website (www.wellbeingsupport.health.nz) to make it easier for rural communities to find available supports in their locations. Digital and telehealth support is also available to rural and senior communities, including Youthline, 1737 mental health helpline, and digital tools including Groov for adults and Headstrong for young people.